WSO debuts on June 4 with opera in concert performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio to audience of over 1000

1984

First Board of Trustees appointed and Brad Keimach becomes Music Director

1986

WSO debuts at Carnegie Hall

1988

WSO performs at the opening of the NJ State Legislature

1993

WSO named “Distinguished Arts Organization” by NJ State Council on the Arts

1994

WSO Commissions Westfield Fanfare by David Sampson for the Westfield Bicentennial concert

1995

WSO receives first grant from National Endowment for the Arts

1996

WSO’s 100th concert

1997

Maestro David Wroe appointed as Music Director

1999

WSO receives NJ Governor’s Award for Excellence

2000

Appointed Orchestra in Residence at UnionCounty Arts Center

2001

September 11 Memorial Concert featuring Leon Fleisher

2002

Reserved seating introduced

2004

Collaborations with New York City Opera begin

2005

Star Ledger describes WSO as “the leading professional freelance orchestra in the State of NJ”. Established Residency at PNC Center

2006

World premiere of The New Colossus Inaugural concerts of SOPAC Virtuosi

2007

Carnegie Hall collaboration with UN/Wallenberg Foundation to present world premiere of Robert Cohen’s Of Eternity as a Closed System New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) awards its highest and most prestigious honor, the Citation of Excellence, to WSO in recognition of WSO’s exhibition of “the highest standards of excellence in its artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of special Council interest”

2007
20082009

NJ State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) awards its highest and most prestigious honor, the Citation of Excellence, to the WSO in recognition of WSO’s exhibition of “the highestnstandards of excellence in its artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of special council interest.” The WSO has won this award for three consecutive years.